Chicago’s City Considers Choices for Generating Revenue for its Budget

CHICAGO (WLS) — During a recent press conference, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson shared a set of new lobbying priorities. Surprisingly, these new proposals were absent from the city’s budget hearings that took place late last year.

One of the primary focal points during those heated hearings was revenue. Aldermen were striving to address a significant deficit of nearly $1 billion. The situation was compounded by the fact that federal COVID-19 relief funds were nearly depleted or reaching their expiration, along with enduringly underfunded pension obligations, making the city’s revenue to cover current expenses appear uncertain.

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Despite an abundance of ideas, the city has had challenges translating them into action. In June 2024, a new subcommittee focused on revenue explored various potential solutions. Furthermore, numerous suggestions were deliberated upon during budget hearings. These proposals stemmed from both alderpersons and city staff, creating a vigorous exchange between council members and the mayor’s budget team.

Some of those proposals would require legislative changes at the state level. BGA Policy compiled a list of state-dependent revenue policies that were proposed at the Chicago City Council in 2024, either during the 2025 budget hearings or in the revenue subcommittee.

You can read their full breakdown at bettergov.org.